"My passion for halvah (the sesame-seed candy) is no secret. I love its crunchy, gritty, nutty flavor. I first started eating it in Paris at the pâtisseries orientales: the Middle Eastern sweet shops in the fifth arrondissement, near La Sorbonne. The flavor of halvah works well with caramel. Sesame is the new vanilla!"
—Bill Yosses
The sesame-flavored ice cream for this sundae is fun and unique, but store-bought vanilla ice cream is delicious, too.
Recipe reprinted from The Perfect Finish by Bill Yosses. Copyright © 2010 by Bill Yosses. With the permission of the publisher, W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.
This material may not be reproduced, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written permission of the publisher.
More Frozen Desserts
How to Make It
Set a fine-mesh sieve over a bowl and set the bowl in an ice-water bath. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks with 1/4 cup of the sugar. In a large saucepan, combine the milk, cream and the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar and bring to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Gradually whisk the warm liquid into the egg mixture, then return it all to the saucepan. Cook over moderate heat, stirring constantly, until the custard is thickened slightly, about 4 minutes. Strain the custard into the bowl and stir in the sesame oil, vanilla and salt. Let cool.
Pour the custard into an ice cream maker and freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours.
In a small saucepan, cook the sugar over moderate heat, swirling the pan until melted. Continue to cook, undisturbed, until a deep-amber caramel forms, about 2 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat and carefully add 1/2 cup of water. When the bubbling subsides, return the caramel to moderate heat and cook, whisking constantly, until any hardened caramel is dissolved and the sauce is slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Transfer the caramel sauce to a small pitcher and rinse out the saucepan.
Add the heavy cream and honey to the saucepan and bring to a boil over moderately high heat. Remove from the heat and whisk in the tahini. Transfer the tahini cream to a small pitcher.
Scoop the ice cream into bowls and drizzle with the caramel and tahini cream. Top the sundaes with the crumbled halvah and crushed sesame candies and serve.
Make Ahead
Notes
Halvah is a Middle Eastern confection made primarily from ground sesame seeds and honey. Look for it at candy stores and at specialty shops.